When Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez transitioned into the role of Director of Family Education and Engagement for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, she decided to celebrate with a new headshot, new look! Overseeing the camping initiative, PJ Library, family experiences, and working with the preschool educators, she felt that an image with bright energy was our next move.
What do you think? Did we nail it? Do you feel like you know her?
OTJ Architects is a firm based out of Washington DC, with satellite offices through the nation. I had the pleasure of photographing the headshots of two of their Principals based out of Atlanta previously. With staff throughout the nation, the firm decided they wanted a streamlined look for their website showcasing their talent. They had a specific look in mind: casual, waist-up, black and white with the option for color, with a white backdrop. I was thrilled to have these two back in the studio!!
Check out my previous post to see how this look was created!
In 2018, we did our first Cohen family session. Their three precious girls dipped their hands in the water.
In 2019, we recreated that image.
In 2020, we paused. Covid took precedent.
In 2021, we captured it again.
Each year, we capture their growth, and mirror both the past, and what we desire for the future.
In 2019, we added metals to the year prior. In 2021, we reinvisioned the arrangements completely, forming new groupings to tell new stories.
We are continuing to select matte metals for Avital, not only because it lends cohesiveness to her expanding galleries, but because she raved: “I love these with my kids! I don’t worry as much about fingerprints or damage. The kids love exploring them and touching them and pointing to themselves, and I know these are durable enough for that.” She also loves treating their parents to accordion albums- tiny leather-bound brag books they can carry in their bags, and display on their shelves.
So I get a call from Maya. She’s just had a new baby, her second, and she is unsurprisingly exhausted. She knows she wants to capture this transition beautifully, but she also wants it to be EASY. She asks if we could do a lifestyle newborn family session in her home, and I’m delighted.
As we talk, she reveals she has a 3 year old that is, shall we say… a powerhouse. And that she can be a bit rough with her new baby… Ben.
I’M SORRY, SAY WHAT??
Because I’m pretty sure that it was exactly five years ago that I, exhausted to tears, told people that my rambunctious 3 year old daughter loved her baby, Ben, “aggressively.”
Ohmigosh. We. Are. The. Same.
Needless to say, I felt trained for the job!
What’s great, coming in as the better rested outsider, is that I was much more equipped this time than with my own.
They were delightful. Really, truly delightful.
Does it make me long for the days, when my two were exactly like this? For a moment. And then, nope. I’m so thrilled to watch mine become real little humans.
It’s really remarkable to reflect, via my clients, my own journey thus far, and get to witness theirs.
This (unedited) is the mockup for their 20x30 semi-gloss metal in their kitchen. The one of the two kiddos will be a metal in their playroom, and the other two are prints to be framed in the home.
The finished installation!
Ross is taking it all on! A new career in Real Estate with Keller Williams. And he’s engaged!
Wishing Ross an amazing year of transitions, as he plots his course in work and love.
*NOTICE* - boudoir photography to come!
Is Alane fierce?
Without question.
She’s a registered nurse who provides post-surgery in-home care. She also works events with the local police force.
When people heard I had a “Celebrate Yourself Session” approaching, they said, “Wow, she must be so confident.”
Is Alane confident in the field? You betcha. Was Alane nervous about our session? You betcha.
She reached out because she wanted to present her husband with a special birthday present, custom art for their home. But she was really putting herself out there, taking this leap. She said she’s never had a picture taken of her that she likes.
She drove to the studio DURING A TORNADO, and met Corie, our hair and makeup artist. (Thanks to Yelena for the introduction to Corie: they worked on set of the “Love is Blind Reunion” together.)
We explored different outfits, different poses, reviewed the images together, until we NAILED IT.
After the session, Alane texted, giving me permission to share her images: “Let’s show the world how amazing you are!”
Showing the world how amazing women are, TOGETHER:
We explored creating a gallery for her husband’s office, though I believe their final destination is still undetermined. She chose to have these images printed on stand-out metals, and I can’t wait to install them for her!!
Our gallery design, images straight out of camera.
Shayna Image recently took on assistance in the Social Media Marketing department (don’t they say ‘focus on your strengths’?) and they sent a photographer to my studio and grounds to do a session of me…doing a session. How meta is that?
I needed a family to be in the session. The answer to me was obvious. Lucy. Lucy and my husband work together.
She has a gorgeous family, with kiddos who I thought were up for the strange dynamic.
Her support of my business has been breathtaking. When a client books with me, they have the opportunity to name a referral source, who receives 15% off a session fee. Lucy has been named so many times, she’s on track to a free shoot.
Then I heard she hopes to gift the session to someone else.
It was a tricky evening. What I needed to do to get a great image of Lucy’s family was pretty much the OPPOSITE of what the other photographer, Franca, needed to get a great image of ME getting a photo of the family. If that sentence sounds confusing, it’s a taste of how the evening felt!
Nevertheless, her family crushed it, and we got a couple of lovely images to show from it all! These images were taken in the creek and on the paths behind the studio.
Much gratitude to Lucy and her beautiful family. And I look forward to you all seeing the forthcoming “Behind the Scenes at Shayna Image” pictures!
Remember THIS GORGEOUS LADY?
When her daughter needed a yearbook headshot, she decided to crank it up a notch and turn it into a celebration. This way, she gets to submit something extra special and customized, AND start building a gallery home of her family at home.
Shira sparkles, just like her mom.
Let me introduce you to Corrie. And then, let me tell you why Corrie is a big deal for us.
I’ve only just begun to get to know her, but here’s what’s clear: she has passion and drive, but seeks balance and tempers her decisions by really checking in with herself. She’s energized by change and opportunity. She’s very talented, transitioning from Marketing at Turner Broadcasting into Real Estate. She’s got a couple spunky kiddos who tell her exactly what they think. She really understands people. She asked my husband to take a personality assessment- and told him spot on what he was before he revealed his results.
And here’s why all of this is so important to my family…
My husband and I are both small business owners. You already know what I do. My husband got into real estate, grew his business, took on Pam, an amazing partner, and then was hired by his brokerage to coach other Realtors. He now coaches 79 Realtors, and helps them explore their goals, desires, and actualize the steps necessary to grow and better serve their clients. He was recently able to hire Candace to assist with coaching!
The twist? While helping others launch and scale their businesses, Billy determined that his clients deserved more attention and a higher level of service. SO NOW THE FAMILY HOME GROUP HAS CORRIE AT THE HELM!! She is here to help the business explode: to provide top-notch service, and to execute the vision Billy has always had for his real estate team.
If you have ever started your own business, you understand the excitement, the nerves, the amazement, of seeing your baby to a place where you bring in leadership.
Corrie is the match we’ve been seeking. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY, CORRIE!
I remember jumping, sweating, learning… Liora and I used to take a dance workout class together. It was a hip hop class- choreography oriented. What’s strange, is I can’t even recall how we became friends before that. I know we were, it feels like we always were, but I can’t flag the start.
But I remember the pause. Already a brilliant pastry and paint artist, she returned to school to pursue a degree in the medical field. She wanted to put all her love into her education and her family. I’ve also seen her bloom in her art.
Liora ultimately is pursuing a career as an ultrasound technician. Currently, she’s applying to phlebotomy and medical assistant positions. Besides proficient, this woman is so kind, empathetic, and warm, she’s guaranteed to bond with and soothe anyone she assists.
Meeting Laura made my head spin.
She found me from recommendations on Facebook. We clicked on our consultation call, but knew so little about one another.
Then BOOM— here come the crazy ways our paths complimented each other.
She works in Real Estate Law (my husband coaches realtors and has a sales team.)
She’s been on the board of a local theatre, Synchronicity Performance Group (I worked as a professional actor in Atlanta for a decade.)
She’s explored her Jewish practice through the years, and has been particularly impacted by relationships (uh, ditto.)
Her daughter was in BBYO (my husband and I met via the youth group.)
The people and experiences we shared in common were incredible. I did not see that coming!
But isn’t every moment we have in this world an opportunity to find unexpected connections?
Get on Instagram! everyone said. I dragged my feet, but finally acquiesced.
It finally paid off, and I enjoyed my first session from someone who found me on IG!
Elliot is a law student at Georgia State University. Always thinking through every move, and several moves ahead, not only did he want to review our contract thoroughly (everyone should!), but he wanted to get ahead of the game getting his headshots, knowing that they would be crucial in his next career steps. This is a man both thoughtful and focused- he knows where he’s going and is proactive getting there.
I guess this just proves that, whether we are 24 or 39, it’s always time move forward, push yourself, and take those extra steps.
Oh, man, was it a throw back to be able to do headshots for Miriam, aspiring actor/singer. To talk industry, to remember getting my own first headshots with the same agenda. Miriam was delightful- so sweet and personable. Just the kind of young lady you would want on a set or in a cast…
Can we talk crazy convergence here?
How did I meet Miriam?
Over 15 years ago, I met her Mom as I was performing in a couple of shows at The Center For Puppetry Arts here in Atlanta. Sara works as their Digital Learning Director: a fantastic and busy job, made much moreso during this pandemic. Then- HAHA TWIST- I moved into photography, and I moved onto her street!! Chatting after the session, while I walked them back home, it was incredible how many different ways our lives touch.
I can’t wait to watch Miriam’s trajectory!
I started doing group headshot sessions for Keller Williams Roswell in 2018. We capture their leadership team, and print 8x8 mounted prints for them to display proudly on their walls. There are always open slots for other agents who want a headshot, as well. With 3+ people in a row, everyone gets a discount!
Did you miss this round? I’ll be back on January 26th. Contact Melody for a slot. Or if you prefer a more customized or studio one-on-one session, be in contact directly and we’ll get you on the calendar!
Surprise of the day: I had someone sign up whose headshot I did fairly recently- she had signed up for her lovely daughter! Images all ready for applications.
I have another teen coming to me for headshots on Sunday! I see a trend…
We’re 2/3s of our way through documenting the Kofinas year of growth. Remember this session??
Alexandra and I are building a gallery wall that chronicals the growth of her family over the course of this year: from family of three, to maternity, to family of four.
That leaves us with one session to go for the year… and my heart is pounding just thinking about it.
Stein Law has been assisting their clients in Corporate Services, Tax Planning and Controversy, and Estate Planning for two decades. They now add the vibrant energy of Harrison and Karine to their team. They offer both experience and vitality.
Shayna Image is thrilled to have an ongoing relationship with Stein Law and the Stein family, having created their headshots in 2017, a personal home gallery in 2020, and the growth of their firm now in 2021. I am grateful for enduring relationships!!
Hannah’s approach to real estate is much like finding a dating setup: start with a wonderful client, and know that their perfect match is out there… it’s her job to bring the two together. She has a broad understanding of Atlanta (just ask her about free activities to do with your family!) and what makes it special.
We crafted her session for here at the Shayna Image studio, with the goal of showcasing her glowing personality, professionalism, and the backdrop of her specialty.
Reach out to Hannah via her website: www.hannahsells.com
And check out the fantastic video created by FilmTribe she made that showcases all that Jewish Atlanta has to offer!
Melissa is an artist. Not by trade or practice, but creatively, in her mind. By trade and practice she’s a Maharat, a leader, and a guide. But she gets these incredible creative bursts, and I get to execute them! She saw my headshot, and wanted a twist for herself. My favorite messages are from her, saying “I just had this crazy idea for a photoshoot…” See one here.
Darker, more dramatic background? Or brighter? What do you think?
We wanted something rich, dramatic, but still as colorful and vibrant as Melissa! The only purple in the original image was in her headband, but I infused the color into our backdrop and her necklace to build cohesion.
Here’s the setup behind the scenes!
Alexandra is an artist. When she reached out to me, there was a perfect understanding of what we are trying to accomplish when you work with me. She wanted us to build art together. She did, however, throw me for a loop when she asked about the process of booking three sessions in a year.
I told her I have a two-session discount that could easily be adapted…but why three sessions? Clearly there was a goal…
She mumbled a bit, talked about capturing different environments… then came out with it: she was expecting!! She imagined a gallery in their home that tells the story of their evolving family through this time: a family of three, a family maternity session, and as a family of four.
I definitely squealed through the rest of our consultation.
Our session was delightful, learning all about Adam’s work as Executive director of local synagogue Or VeShalom, which I had the pleasure of attending for a few years, and getting Stella’s full spunk. They are such a dynamic family! But what was truly fun was capturing this image, with Stella completely unaware of why we were taking it:
We’ve been waiting all these months until Chanukah to finally make the announcement. May this family have nothing but joy going forward.
Speaking of going forward… it’s almost time for their second session!!
